Gary Neville reveals he was 'relieved' when David Beckham left Manchester United for Real Madrid
'Goldenballs' left Old Trafford in 2003 after a very public falling out with manager Sir Alex Ferguson
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Your support makes all the difference.Manchester United’s former full-back Gary Neville admits he was “relieved” when David Beckham left Old Trafford.
England captain Beckham had a very public falling out with manager Sir Alex Ferguson before moving to Real Madrid in 2003.
Neville says it was the right time for the No 7 to move on and that looking back at his career now it is hard to argue that it was a bad decision.
"He always harboured this hope of playing abroad, I think, and playing in European football,” Neville said in an interview with StrettyNewsTV.
“Looking at what he’s done in his career now - playing at Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, Manchester United, LA Galaxy, it’s a great career.
"You can’t look at it and think that he was wrong. He’s richer for those experiences.”
Beckham left Old Trafford amid a huge media storm after Ferguson kicked at boot at him during a dressing room row which struck him in the face.
“His time had probably come at United where he was right to leave,” Neville added.
“There was a bit of me that was relieved that that tension, that little bit of an underlying thing that was there had gone.
“He was a brilliant player and I loved playing with him.”
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